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Broken hand sends Hill to DL; Didi activated

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Hill's two-run homer 0:50

4/7/13: Aaron Hill smacks a two-run homer to left field in the top of the seventh inning to extend the D-backs' lead to 6-3

By Steve Gilbert
/
MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- The D-backs placed second baseman Aaron Hill on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with a surface fracture of his left hand that is expected to keep him out of action for four to six weeks.

Didi Gregorius, who had been on the DL with a right elbow strain, was activated to take Hill's place on the roster, while Martin Prado moved from third base to second.

Hill was initially hit on the left hand by a James McDonald pitch last Tuesday. Initial X-rays, as well as a second set taken later in the week, showed no break, and he sat out until pinch-hitting -- and hitting a double -- on Saturday against the Dodgers.

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said that Hill told him on Sunday that the hand felt better and that he could play, but when Hill checked his swing in his first at-bat of that game, he felt a sharp pain.

An MRI exam was taken at that point, again revealing no problems, but a CT scan ultimately revealed the break.

Gregorius was acquired by the D-backs in a three-team trade that sent former top prospect Trevor Bauer to Cleveland. Gregorius felt pain in his throwing elbow a couple of weeks after the December trade, and the team shut him down from throwing.

The D-backs were extremely cautious with Gregorius and did not allow him to start throwing until March 2; he did not start throwing across the diamond when fielding ground balls until later in the month. Gregorius played nine innings for Triple-A Reno on Monday, the first time he had played in the field all season. Prior to that, he had served only as the designated hitter.